Dinner with Simon the Leper

Matthew 26:6-13

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat eating.

When his disciples saw it, they were indignant and said, “Why was this wasted? This ointment could have been sold for a lot, and the money given to the poor.”

When Jesus grasped their thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor will be with you always, but I won’t. She has poured this ointment on my body and she did it for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached, no matter where in the world, what this woman has done will also be told for a memorial of her.”

Mark 14:3-9

While in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper eating, a woman with an alabaster box of nard ointment came. Though very precious, she broke the box and poured it on his head.

Some with him were privately indignant, and said, “Why was this ointment wasted? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and given to the poor?” And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why are you bothering the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor will be with you always and you can help them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for burying. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached, no matter where in the world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial of her.”